A magical over from Wasim Ali Mirza late in the chase saw Red Flowers Tourism down Multiplex International in a low-scoring final of the Sharjah Ramadan Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Having restricted Red Flowers Tourism to 124, Multiplex International were four down for 26 at one stage, with Sapandeep Singh (16, 9b, 3x4) being their only top-order batsman to reach double figures. However, a watchful 18 from Zeeshan Khan and the 34-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Abdul Shakoor (26, 27b, 2x4) and Abdul Haq (22 not out, 18b, 2x6) brought them back to within striking distance.
Shakoor and Haq were together at the crease in the 17th over, with Multiplex needing 30 more from 3.3 overs. But a great over from Mirza put an end to Multiplex’s hopes, and they were bowled out for 104 in 17.5 overs.
Mirza took two wickets in the 18th over to finish with four for 15 from 2.5 overs and his superb bowling effort earned him the player of the final award.
Earlier in the first innings, Red Flowers Tourism also did not make a great start to their innings, losing their first wicket with only eight on the board. They were then three down for 39, but a couple of good knocks lower down from Ubadah Barmawar (32, 28b, 3x6) and Salman Randhava (22, 12b, 2x6) allowed them to post 124, which proved to be enough on the night.
Scores
Red Flowers Tourism d. Multiplex International by 20 runs
• Red Flowers Tourism: 124 all out in 20 overs (Masih Yaqoob 16, Yasir Kaleem 14, Rinku Kumar 15, Ubadah Barmawar 32, Salman Randhava 22; Zeeshan Khan 2 for 20, Imran Haider 2 for 18, Abdul Haq 2 for 23).
• Multiplex International: 104 all out in 17.5 overs (Sapandeep Singh 16, Zeeshan Khan 18, Abdul Shakoor 26, Abdul Haq 22 not out; Wasim Ali Mirza 4 for 15, Shafaqat Ali 2 for 33, Mubashir Ahmed 2 for 18).
• Man of the match: Wasim Ali Mirza.
Awards
• Player of the tournament: Syed Maqsood of UBL (347 runs).
• Best Batsman: Shaiman Anwar of Dubai Hawks (314 runs).
• Best Bowler: Wasim Ali Mirza of Red Flowers Tourism (12 wickets).
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